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Birdie

The End

While perusing writers' markets, one offered a tip to writers attempting to break into that market. "The most frequent flaws [...] are stories that don't have a proper ending." ¹

Many times writers focus on perfecting the hook or lead in their story but think nothing of rushing the end. Without an effective hook the readers will lose interest, but no matter how well you hook them, if the conclusion doesn't deliver, the manuscript will most likely land in the rejection pile.

An effective end wraps up each emotional and logical thread spun throughout significant events and character activities in the plot. The conclusion needs to satisfy the readers. By satisfying, I mean it resolves every shred of conflict and tension without being predictable. Instead of leaving the readers confused, a well-written end allows the readers to ponder how cleverly the author knit significant plot threads together, leaving them amazed they didn't see it until the end.

The End Must Be Visual
Writers work to sharpen skills to create their entire story using active language that brings the story to life with the use of strong verbs. The end is no different. The writer's goal should be to create a lasting impression that provokes further contemplation. Use active language that leaves a vivid impression. Don't tell the end; show it. A visual impact lasts because it burns an image into the readers' memory.

Where The End Starts
The end starts with a calamity or disaster. The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler breaks the writing process into three acts. I highly recommend this book as a guide to include all the elements in the Hero's Journey model. Steps outlined in Vogler's book help bring the story to a clear resolution. The crisis leading to the conclusion starts within the second half of the second act, builds to a climax in the third act and leads to the end.

Knowing when to end the story becomes a matter of instinct. As a writer, you've given birth to characters and settings. You know every detail encountered in the process. Drawing them to a conclusion will provide a feeling of completion. It will feel right.

The length of the story will be dictated by the storyline. At times, what starts out as a short story may develop into a novella or even a novel once characters take on lives of their own. The trick is to write until the story is finished. Editing and rewriting can bring it into line with word-count guidelines after completion of the first draft.

Ends With a Twist
Many readers enjoy ends with a twist as writers skillfully bend the readers' imagination one direction only to trick them with an unforeseen conclusion. However, even an end with a twist must make logical sense. A cleverly crafted finish with a twist will mentally send readers back through the storyline to see if the end really works. One good example of an expertly crafted conclusion can be found in The Sixth Sense written by M. Night Shyamalan. He keeps viewers distracted by the young boy that can see dead people. It's not until the end that viewers realize the main character is dead. That's why the boy sees him. The end hits with impact, but sends the mind racing back over even minute detail to see if it really works. It's then that viewers realized no one could see the main character. How could we miss that? Good writing.

Fantasy and sci-fi often present mystical or magical elements that add a surprise factor useful in fashioning a good end. In the first Planet of the Apes movie, viewers enjoyed the magical end as the lead character rides down the beach with the girl he's rescued. They made it and are ready to start a new life. The sense of accomplishment and freedom is short-lived when they come upon the remains of the Statue of Liberty reaching like a mountaintop tossed beside the shoreline. This detail at the end added a thought-provoking twist that left viewers thinking long after the theater emptied.

Let It Rest
After you finish the story, don't look at it for a couple of days or more. By that time, a writer disconnects enough to read the text as a reader rather than the author. This is the time to read the manuscript out loud. Take a red pen or highlighter and mark areas that cause you to falter. Don't stop to fix things, just read and mark rough areas (anything that needs work). Keep notes in the margins. If you note a detail lacking at the end, you'll want to work through the manuscript marking plot threads that need to change to make the end work.

As you read the last sentence, you'll know if the end works or not. Does it satisfy? Or, does it seem like something is missing? Did it generate questions or make you realize you dropped a detail? Go back and fix the highlighted areas, put it aside again and go through the process again in a few days or more.

Tune the Beginning and Middle
Once you know you've nailed the end, double-check the beginning. Where does the conflict start? What engages the reader—that's the hook, the real beginning. Follow it to the climax. Don't rush it. Let readers savor minor resolutions as you weave details that lure them along in a way that makes them hunger for more and engages them through a blend of heightening conflict and tension. Each detail should be relevant and lead to your perfect ending where every plot thread finds an answer. Your story is ready to submit.

¹The Writer Magazine August 2006


About the Author
Author and freelance writer, Donna Sundblad, resides in Georgia with her husband, Rick. Together, they are working on a budgeting book that will be out in electronic format by early 2007. Donna serves as the Fantasy Topic Editor at Inspired Author, and her books, Pumping Your Muse and Windwalker are available in paper or ebook formats at epress-online.com. Check her website for more information at www.theinkslinger.net.